In our parish, focus on music has become a major theme. The ministry and outreach of our relationship with a number of musical societies and groups has raised our profile within the greater community. We welcome people from beyond our parish and our faith to share the gift of music with us.
However, the major thrust of our music ministry is and will continue to be its role in our public worship. Music within the context of Christian ministry is not based on performance but rather on participation and prayer. In the same way that lay readers lead us in spoken prayer or lectors lead us in proclaiming the Word of God in Scripture, our musicians lead us in our sung prayer. They help to create an atmosphere of reflection in prayer through music. They help us praise our God with voices and bells lifted in anthems of celebration. They help to comfort in hymns of faith and consolation at funerals of our parish members.
At St John’s we are blessed to have a Chancel choir, Junior Choir, Bell Choir, Tone Chime Choir, organists, choir directors, and a Chimer who each in there own ways lead us in musical praise.
Contact: Barbara Butler624-0506, Sharon Hill 634-8781, Peter Allen 634-4668
More about Music at St. John's
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Pastoral Visitation Ministry
Although there has been pastoral visitation ministry in the parish in the past, this group has been re-energized as of the fall of 2007. Members of our parish community are either in nursing home (Harbour View Haven) or otherwise unable to be active in in parish life. Bringing the presence of the church community to these people who are no longer able to come to church also allows them to remain connected to parish life.
This ministry is fortunate to have members who visit residents of Harbour View Haven on a regular basis. Additionally in pairs, members of this ministry visit over 20 home bound parishioners. Members also meet regularly to review any concerns or needs which those visited may have and to communicate them to the rector and the parish..
Contact: Charlene Demone 543-5753
This ministry is fortunate to have members who visit residents of Harbour View Haven on a regular basis. Additionally in pairs, members of this ministry visit over 20 home bound parishioners. Members also meet regularly to review any concerns or needs which those visited may have and to communicate them to the rector and the parish..
Contact: Charlene Demone 543-5753
Prayer & Healing Ministry
The Prayer and Healing ministry at St. John’s is currently focused on intercessory, healing prayer. We maintain a list of people for whom prayer has been requested. We also hold services of wholeness and healing on an irregular basis. Anyone who desires prayer for themselves or their loved ones are encouraged to call us or the parish office to have these intentions added to the list for which the ministry team continually prays. Your intention, at your request, can be added to the intentions at Sunday Eucharist.
Last year, the Prayer Chapel was established in the Church for quiet reflection, prayer and meditation whenever the church is open.. In the future we intend to offer sessions on prayer and make connections with other Christian healing ministries and other churches who regularly hold healing services.
Contact: Sandra MacDonald 634-4657
Last year, the Prayer Chapel was established in the Church for quiet reflection, prayer and meditation whenever the church is open.. In the future we intend to offer sessions on prayer and make connections with other Christian healing ministries and other churches who regularly hold healing services.
Contact: Sandra MacDonald 634-4657
Spiritual Development Ministry
Our faith is expressed and strengthened most often in two ways. The first is our personal life of prayer and relationship with God. The second is our common expression of faith in the celebration of the church’s sacraments and other forms of common worship. The ministry of spiritual development tries to educate, lead, and inspire these two aspects of our faith lives. At its most basic, spiritual development is what the whole of our faith lives is about. Therefore, anyone involved in the continuing development of our faith lives is involved in spiritual development ministry. For those of us who specifically identify as part of this ministry in St. John’s, the focus is on helping the parish community and parishioners individually to grow in their spiritual lives through education programs, Bible studies, and by providing resources for growth.
We hope to be able to continue to contribute to the life of our church in these ways. We also hope to be facilitators and helpers to other ministries in the parish as they, each in their own way, help us to grow in our lives of the Spirit.
Contact: Louis Quennelle 527-0122
We hope to be able to continue to contribute to the life of our church in these ways. We also hope to be facilitators and helpers to other ministries in the parish as they, each in their own way, help us to grow in our lives of the Spirit.
Contact: Louis Quennelle 527-0122
Youth Ministry
Sunday School: Christian Education of Children
The education of children is recognized as one of the most important tasks of our society. If we hold that our faith is central to our lives, their education in that faith is doubly important. From nursery to preschool to school age we provide the opportunity of Sunday School for families to help educate their children in our faith. We prepare them for participation in the sacraments - Holy Communion & Confirmation.
As adults we must all ‘confirm’ the faith and church into which we have been baptised. If we are to make an enlightened answer to God’s call to us, if we are to walk through the door to the gift of faith, the Christian education of children must be a central ministry in our parish.
Contact: Jane Lordly 634 3344, or Jennifer Green-Heisler 640-2088
The education of children is recognized as one of the most important tasks of our society. If we hold that our faith is central to our lives, their education in that faith is doubly important. From nursery to preschool to school age we provide the opportunity of Sunday School for families to help educate their children in our faith. We prepare them for participation in the sacraments - Holy Communion & Confirmation.
As adults we must all ‘confirm’ the faith and church into which we have been baptised. If we are to make an enlightened answer to God’s call to us, if we are to walk through the door to the gift of faith, the Christian education of children must be a central ministry in our parish.
Contact: Jane Lordly 634 3344, or Jennifer Green-Heisler 640-2088
Lay Readers
Other than our Rector, Lay readers are probably the most visible in their ministry within the parish. Every Sunday they lead us in praying the Psalms and in intercessory prayer (Prayers of the People). They assist at the altar and distribution of communion. Occasionally they lead us in Morning Prayer and preach.
“The office of Lay Reader is intended to be and opportunity for ministry of the Spirit in which and individual can respond to the call to be helpful in building up the body of Christ. It must be recognized, however, that this ministry is more than solely liturgical. It may involve one or more other areas such as pastoral care, Christian education, social action and parish administration, Lay readers, therefore, have the responsibility to develop their special talents so that the unity of Faith may be realized by all.” (From : Lay Reader Handbook of Standards and Regulations)
Contact: Roger Demone 543-5753
Lay Readers Schedule
“The office of Lay Reader is intended to be and opportunity for ministry of the Spirit in which and individual can respond to the call to be helpful in building up the body of Christ. It must be recognized, however, that this ministry is more than solely liturgical. It may involve one or more other areas such as pastoral care, Christian education, social action and parish administration, Lay readers, therefore, have the responsibility to develop their special talents so that the unity of Faith may be realized by all.” (From : Lay Reader Handbook of Standards and Regulations)
Contact: Roger Demone 543-5753
Lay Readers Schedule
Lectors
Every Sunday, be it at Holy Eucharist or Morning Prayer, members of our parish get up before us to proclaim the Word of God in Scripture readings from both the Old and New Testaments. Although we may not often think in those terms, this is a very basic and very important ministry in our Christian faith. God has spoken to us through the experiences of the Chosen People, the Jews, in the Old Testament. God has spoken to us in the life experiences of the early Christian communities. These are communicated to us though the books of the New Testament. There is hardly a more crucial or central ministry to our worship life.
How we communicate this Holy Word is also very important. Are we clear? Do we ourselves understand what we are trying to communicate to others? Is our demeanour appropriate to the importance of the ministry we are fulfilling? We are thankful for the quality and number of the Lectors we have in our parish community, living out this ministry every week.
At St. John's we follow the semi-continuous readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. We are currently in Ordinary time in Year A and the readings are taking us through the Patriarchs and the Exodus. The readings for the month can be found here.
Contact: Helen Chandler 624-0100 or Mary Wagner 634-4994
How we communicate this Holy Word is also very important. Are we clear? Do we ourselves understand what we are trying to communicate to others? Is our demeanour appropriate to the importance of the ministry we are fulfilling? We are thankful for the quality and number of the Lectors we have in our parish community, living out this ministry every week.
At St. John's we follow the semi-continuous readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. We are currently in Ordinary time in Year A and the readings are taking us through the Patriarchs and the Exodus. The readings for the month can be found here.
Contact: Helen Chandler 624-0100 or Mary Wagner 634-4994
Servers
Traditionally, our young people become servers at the altar as part of their ministry in St. John’s. They care crucifers (carry the Cross in procession), light the candles and extinguish them before and after the service, and help the lay readers and priest at the altar. Although this ministry can and is occasionally carried out by the lay readers or other adult members of the congregation it is a very visible way in which Christian ministry is carried out by our young members.
If you are a young person or know one in the parish who may be interested you are encouraged to call to participate in your parish’s liturgical and public worship life.
Contact: Sheila Morris 634-3713
If you are a young person or know one in the parish who may be interested you are encouraged to call to participate in your parish’s liturgical and public worship life.
Contact: Sheila Morris 634-3713
Bishops & Priests
When we think of ministry in the context of our Christian faith we think minister, and when we think minister we think of our bishop and our rector. In the Anglican Church our church is modeled on what we believe to be the Apostolic model, that is in the tradition of the Apostles. In this model our basic unit for the organization of the church is the diocese. The bishop stands in the tradition of the Apostles as leader of the church. In order to fulfill this ministry the bishop, for service to the church, ordains that other women and men (our priests and deacons) should help in the ministry of shepherding the flock. This leadership is one of service to the Body of Christ which is the church.
The service of bishop and priest comes with all the traditional duties of leadership in parish life and other ministries of which we ordinarily think. They proclaim the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus to us and lead us in our celebration of the Eucharist. Their service also consists of communicating the call and challenge of Jesus to go beyond who we are to who we can become in the fulfillment of our Christian mission. This can make our priest and our bishop an occasionally uncomfortable presence. At their best they are true communicators of the voice of God in our lives.
Contact: Rev. Michael Mitchell 634-4994
The service of bishop and priest comes with all the traditional duties of leadership in parish life and other ministries of which we ordinarily think. They proclaim the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus to us and lead us in our celebration of the Eucharist. Their service also consists of communicating the call and challenge of Jesus to go beyond who we are to who we can become in the fulfillment of our Christian mission. This can make our priest and our bishop an occasionally uncomfortable presence. At their best they are true communicators of the voice of God in our lives.
Contact: Rev. Michael Mitchell 634-4994
Wardens & parish Council
Every organization needs organizers. In St,. John’s as in other Anglican churches we have both wardens and a parish council.. The day to day life of the parish is sometimes mundane and sometimes exciting, but always requires those who are willing to shoulder the burden of keeping things going on the administrative and financial side. By doing this they serve other ministries in the parish who concentrate more on the ‘spiritual’ or ‘faith’ aspects of our parish community life.
Contact: Jane Ritcey-Moore 475-4834, Peter Allen 634-4668 or Stephen Bower 634-8445
Contact: Jane Ritcey-Moore 475-4834, Peter Allen 634-4668 or Stephen Bower 634-8445
Diocesan Synod & Regional Council
At St. John’s we are part of the larger Anglican Church. Specifically we are within the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Our diocesan synod works for us on many faith and administrative issues. The three lay representatives from St. John’s play an important part in helping to do such wide ranging things as determining church governance on particular issues to electing our bishop.
The regional council meets to discuss and implement matters of interest within our own region within the diocese. They are important in communicating what is happening in our own parish community to others and to bringing us their news and endeavours.
The regional council meets to discuss and implement matters of interest within our own region within the diocese. They are important in communicating what is happening in our own parish community to others and to bringing us their news and endeavours.
ACW: Anglican Church Women
Gathering together in fellowship has always been an important part of our Christian faith. The disciples of Jesus, both men and women spent time together in fellowship throughout Jesus’ active ministry. Women in the Anglican Church have for many years been meeting in fellowship. The ACW provides an opportunity for women to be united in a fellowship of worship, learning, and offering with a view to deepen and strengthen their devotional life. It helps to make women aware of the total mission of the church and to lead them into fuller Christian service.
In St. John’s the ACW is very active in many aspects of parish life contributing financially through funds raised by them and in service through their many activities.
Contact: Barbara Nowe 634-4473
In St. John’s the ACW is very active in many aspects of parish life contributing financially through funds raised by them and in service through their many activities.
Contact: Barbara Nowe 634-4473
Altar Guild
Every week we gather to worship together in the Eucharist. We gather for prayer together in the church . We have visitors touring throughout the year. The chancel area is always clean. The flowers are always in place. The Bread & wine are ready, the linens are clean and the altar is set for our communal meal. These are all tasks which are visibly carried out, every Sunday, every week, all year long. The Altar guild are the ‘Marthas’ in the kitchen preparing the meal for Jesus.
Through a generous donation some years ago, the Altar Guild has been able to continue funding not only the purchase of supplies such as candles and flowers. We have also been able to make major contributions such as purchasing the new vestments. Finally we have also been able to contribute financially to those in need outside our parish community (St. Jude’s restoration).
Contact: Lillian Keeping 634-3795
Through a generous donation some years ago, the Altar Guild has been able to continue funding not only the purchase of supplies such as candles and flowers. We have also been able to make major contributions such as purchasing the new vestments. Finally we have also been able to contribute financially to those in need outside our parish community (St. Jude’s restoration).
Contact: Lillian Keeping 634-3795
Ladies’ Guild
The Guild came into being in the late 1950s when a group of young women in the parish decided t meet together on a monthly basis for fellowship and spiritual development. Through the years we have also been involved in running a kindergarten, second hand store, sandwich lunches and making items for both fund raising and children’s liturgies. Often, a guest speaker is invited to our monthly meetings.
The fund raising is for a number of different uses. Gifts of time spent in social activities actual presents are given to the residents of Harbour View Haven. We have a foster child in Zimbabwe. Funds are contributed to the parish general funds as well as the Rector’s Discretionary fund. New choir gowns were purchased for the parish.
Contact: Susan MacMillan 634-3019
The fund raising is for a number of different uses. Gifts of time spent in social activities actual presents are given to the residents of Harbour View Haven. We have a foster child in Zimbabwe. Funds are contributed to the parish general funds as well as the Rector’s Discretionary fund. New choir gowns were purchased for the parish.
Contact: Susan MacMillan 634-3019
Parish Visitation Program
One of the results of the Visioning Process last year in our parish was the establishment of a goal to visit every family in the parish. The visioning report stated “We will reconnect with the St. John’s family, getting to know people better, sharing with them our new vision and learning about their lives and connections with the congregation. The focus will be on shepherding the flock: relationships and faith, not money. We will have clear goals for this program.”
A committee has been formed to organize this parish visitation. Members willing to join the visiting teams will be recruited and trained in a workshop. Information will be prepared and presented to those visited. As well information about the families will be collected to help to connect and reconnect and to determine needs.
Contact: Heather Eisenhauer 634-4713
More information on the Parish Visitation Program
A committee has been formed to organize this parish visitation. Members willing to join the visiting teams will be recruited and trained in a workshop. Information will be prepared and presented to those visited. As well information about the families will be collected to help to connect and reconnect and to determine needs.
Contact: Heather Eisenhauer 634-4713
More information on the Parish Visitation Program
Food Bank
In a country, province and community where there is so much wealth it is often difficult for us to understand how someone could not even have food to eat. Sadly it is true that people in our community - too many people - do not have enough resources to feed themselves and their families. We at St. John’s are involved in the community food bank. Once the food is donated, there is still much work to do before it can be put into the hands of those who need it. It must be collected and brought to the food bank itself. There it must be sorted and stored. Once there the food must then be made into hampers and packages to fit the requirements of the person or persons to whom it will go.
It also takes people to administer moneys donated, to purchase perishable foods, and to generally keep the food bank going from day to day to day. We need those people, people who will also show the love and compassion of Jesus to those who reach out in their need.
Contact: Bruce & Louise Holdbrook 634-3510
It also takes people to administer moneys donated, to purchase perishable foods, and to generally keep the food bank going from day to day to day. We need those people, people who will also show the love and compassion of Jesus to those who reach out in their need.
Contact: Bruce & Louise Holdbrook 634-3510
Meals on Wheels
All of us are heading down the same road of life, we just get on and off at different places. We also have different vehicles, our bodies, for the trip. As we get older there may come a time when we, although still capable to live on our own, may need extra support to continue to do so. There are many in our parish and community who find themselves in this position. Nourishing food is necessary for continued good health. Through this ministry we help to provide to those unable due to age or health a nourishing meal on a regular basis. Very often those who have difficulty preparing meals for themselves also spend most of their hours and days alone. They are deprived of the nourishment of human contact for their spirit. No less important for them is the human contact that occurs as the meal is delivered.
Contact: Hazel Oliver 634-3236
Contact: Hazel Oliver 634-3236
Heritage
So much of who we are is who we have been. This ministry helps us to remain in touch with that heritage, be it in the physical heritage around us or the faith heritage as documented in our archives. God works through his people working in the world and throughout history. By remaining in touch with our heritage we remain in touch with God’s work in past generations in St. John’s.
Contact: George Munroe 634-3356
Contact: George Munroe 634-3356
PWRDF (Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund)
Through the Anglican Church of Canada and our Primate a fund is administered which reaches out to those in need throughout the world. This fund has several ongoing projects both inside and outside Canada. We ourselves contribute towards this fund. We currently have no one who acts as liaison with PWRDF to make this important outreach ministry and its work more real and present to us.
Contact: Sharon Green 634-8269
Contact: Sharon Green 634-8269
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